Students explored the wonders of science with their parents at the festive evening event. Each could choose three different activities.

Mt. SAC and the Orange County Astronomers brought some telescopes, as did Telesis Academy.

"The skies were overcast all day, so we didn't know if we would see anything," Daniels recalled. "But the weather cleared and the air was crystal clear so we could see Jupiter, Venus and Mars in the night sky."

A friend, Mari Ewenike with Air Products Corp., presented a fascinating demonstration with liquid nitrogen.

"She showed the students you can actually hammer a nail in with a frozen banana," Daniels said. "And a handball shattered after dipping it in liquid nitrogen."